Diaper changing apparatus and methods

ABSTRACT

Apparatus and methods for changing diapers are disclosed. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a bag member partially enclosing an interior region and an outer surface having at least one first securing member formed thereon. A changing mat is operatively coupled to the outer surface and has at least one second securing member formed thereon. The changing mat is deployable between a closed position wherein the first and second securing members are engageable and the changing mat occupies a stowed position proximate to the outer surface of the bag member, and an open position wherein the changing mat is unfolded to provide an elongated changing surface. The bag member remains substantially unchanged during deployment of the changing mat between the open and closed positions.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to diaper changing apparatus and methods,and more specifically, to apparatus having a removable changing matoperatively coupled to an outside surface of a diaper carrying bag.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Diapers are useful and ubiquitous products that occupy a prominent placein the lives of parents and care-givers in virtually every countryaround the world. Whether disposable or reusable, diapers are almost theexclusive choice of clothing for a variety of wearers, including, forexample, younger children (e.g. babies, toddlers, etc.) and certainpersons with disabilities. In many public areas frequented by parents,it is common to see parents carrying both their infants and theever-present diaper bag.

Conventional diaper bags are typically characterized by a relativelylarge compartment suited to carry an assortment of diapers, wipes,lotions, baby bottles, and a variety of other products useful for thetask of caring for an infant. Other conventional devices also provide asurface upon which to lay the infant during changing operations,including, for example, the devices disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,298,509Bi issued to Vickers, U.S. Pat. No. 5,692,257 issued to Albertieri, U.S.Pat. No. 5,649,658 issued to Hoffman et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,615,433issued to Martin, U.S. Pat. No. 4,917,505 issued to Bullard et al., U.S.Pat. No. 4,566,130 issued to Coates, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,154,323 issuedto Sneider.

Although desirable results have been achieved using such prior artdevices, there is room for improvement. For example, several prior artapparatus require the diaper bag to be substantially disassembled inorder to form the changing surface. This requires that the parent orcare-giver unload the diaper bag prior to performing a changingprocedure in order to form the changing surface, and then to reassembleand reload the diaper bag after the changing procedure is complete. Thisobviously adds inconvenience to the diaper changing procedure.Furthermore, other prior art apparatus have storage compartments locatedwithin the changing surface portion of the apparatus, which again mayrequire the care-giver to unload portions of the apparatus, oralternately, which may cause the infant to suffer discomfort during thediaper changing procedure due to objects stored in the compartments.Therefore, diaper changing apparatus and methods that mitigate theseadverse characteristics would be useful.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to diaper changing apparatus andmethods that mitigate several of the disadvantages of prior art changingdevices. Embodiments of apparatus and methods in accordance with thepresent invention may advantageously improve the efficiency of thediaper changing process, and may improve the comfort of the baby duringa changing operation.

In one embodiment, a diaper changing assembly in accordance with thepresent invention includes a bag member partially enclosing an interiorregion and forming an access opening leading thereto. The bag memberincludes an outer surface having at least one first securing memberformed thereon. A changing mat is operatively coupled to the outersurface and has at least one second securing member formed thereon. Thechanging mat is foldable into a plurality of portions such that in aclosed position, the plurality of portions are positionable proximatethe outer surface and the first and second securing members areengageable with the changing mat occupying a stowed position external tothe bag member. In an open position, the plurality of portions may beunfolded to provide an elongated changing surface. The bag memberremains substantially unchanged during articulation of the changing matbetween the open and closed positions. In an alternate aspect, thechanging mat is removably coupled to the bag member. In a furtheraspect, the changing mat includes a compartmentless exterior surface. Inyet another embodiment, the changing mat includes a pillow memberdisposed therein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The preferred and alternative embodiments of the present invention aredescribed in detail below with reference to the following drawings.

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a diaper changing assembly in anopen position in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the diaper changing assembly ofFIG. 1 in a closed position;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the diaper changing assembly ofFIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view of the diaper changing assembly ofFIG. 2; and

FIG. 5 is an enlarged elevational view of an alternate embodiment offirst and second attachment devices of the diaper changing assembly ofFIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to present diaper changing apparatus andmethods, and more specifically, to diaper changing apparatus having aremovable changing mat operatively coupled to an outside surface of adiaper carrying bag. Many specific details of certain embodiments of theinvention are set forth in the following description and in FIGS. 1-5 toprovide a thorough understanding of such embodiments. One skilled in theart, however, will understand that the present invention may haveadditional embodiments, or that the present invention may be practicedwithout several of the details described in the following description.

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a diaper changing assembly 100 inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In thisembodiment, the diaper changing assembly 100 includes a bag member 110removeably coupled to a changing mat 120. As described more fully below,the diaper changing assembly 100 advantageously allows diapers, wipes,lotions, and other supplies to be conveniently stored for transport inthe bag member 110, and with the changing mat 110 deployed in an openposition 102, the items within the bag member 110 remain readilyaccessible during a diaper changing operation. These and otheradvantages of the diaper changing assembly 100 will become apparent inthe following discussion.

As shown in FIG. 1, in this embodiment, the bag member 110 has anapproximately rectangular or box-like shape having a pair of opposingside panels, a pair of opposing end panels, and a bottom panel (notvisible). A pocket 112 (e.g. for baby bottles, etc.) is coupled to oneof the end panels of the bag member 110. One or more handles 114 may becoupled to the side panels to facilitate carrying of the diaper changingassembly 100. The panels of the bag member 110 cooperate to partiallyenclose an interior region 116 into which the diapers, wipes, lotions,and other desired changing supplies may be stored. It will beappreciated, however, that a variety of alternate embodiments of the bagmember 110 may be readily conceived, and that the invention is notlimited the particular embodiment of the bag member 110 described aboveand shown in the accompanying figures.

As further shown in FIG. 1, the changing mat 120 may be removeablycoupled to a lower portion of the bag member 110 by a coupling device122. In a preferred embodiment, the changing mat 120 has no pockets orstorage compartments for carrying supplies. In one particularembodiment, the coupling device 122 may be a zipper. Alternately,however, the coupling device 122 may be one or more snaps, buttons,hook-and-loop fasteners (e.g. VELCRO®), or any other suitable couplingdevice. In further embodiments, the changing mat 120 may be permanentlycoupled (e.g. integrally formed, sewn, glued, heat bonded, etc.) to thebag member 110.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the changing mat 120 is a tri-panel,foldable changing mat, and includes a padded portion 124 for cushioninga baby's head during use. Attachment members 126 are coupled to thechanging mat 120 in a manner that allows engagement with correspondingreceiving members 118 formed on the bag member 110, as described morefully below. In a particular embodiment, the changing mat 120 includesone or more inner layers of padding material (not visible), such asquilted fiberfill, foam rubber, or the like, covered by an outer shellof durable covering material. A variety of covering materials may beused for the durable outer shell, including, for example, nylons,polyesters, any type of washable plastic materials, or any othersuitable polymeric or non-polymeric materials. In a presently preferredembodiment, the changing mat 120 (and bag member 110) is constructed ofdurable, washable materials such that if it becomes soiled, it may beremoved from the bag member 110, washed and dried in conventionalwashing and drying appliances, and easily reattached to the bag member110.

FIGS. 2 and 3 are front perspective and side elevational views,respectively, of the diaper changing assembly 100 of FIG. 1 in a closedposition 104. Similarly, FIG. 4 is a rear elevational view of the diaperchanging assembly 100 of FIG. 2. As best shown in FIG. 3, in the closedposition 104, the changing mat 120 is folded up and engaged with a sidepanel of the bag member 110. The attachment members 126 on the changingmat 120 may be firmly secured with the receiving members 118 on the bagmember 110 to hold the changing mat 120 in the closed position 104. Ifdesired, a secondary securing member 130, such as a strap with snaps orhook and loop securing devices, may be used to further secure thechanging mat 120 in the closed position 104 (shown in phantom lies inFIG. 2), and may extend entirely across the opening of the bag member110 (FIG. 3) to permit the bag member 110 to be closed for transport.Alternately, a zipper or other closing mechanism 132 (FIG. 4) may beadded along the upper edges of the side panels of the bag member 110 toallow the bag member 110 to be closed. As further shown in FIG. 4, therear panel of the bag member 110 may be equipped with one or moreadditional pockets 132 for convenient access to supplies, changingitems, etc.

In operation, the bag member 110 may be placed on a suitable surface,and the changing mat 120 may be deployed (e.g. unfolded) from its stowedposition proximate the outer surface of the bag member 110 into the openposition 102. During the deployment of the changing mat 120, the bagmember 110 remains substantially unchanged, and no disassembly ormodification of the bag assembly 110 is necessary. Furthermore, prior toand during the deployment of the changing mat 120, since the changingmat 120 is without storage pockets or compartments, no unloading of anycompartments is necessary. Next, a wearer of a diaper may be positionedon the changing mat 120, preferably with a head of the wearer positionedon the pillow member 124. A previously installed diaper may then beremoved from the wearer (if not already removed), and a diaper may thenbe installed on the wearer. The wearer may then be removed from thechanging mat 120, and the changing mat may be redeployed into the closedposition 104 proximate the outer surface such that the changing matoccupies the stowed position external to the bag member 110 and withoutmodification of the bag member 110. The changing mat 120 may then besecured to the bag member 110 by securing the first and secondattachment devices 118, 126 so that the changing mat 120 remains in thestowed position 104 until it is needed again.

In one particular embodiment, the first and second attachment devices118, 126 may be the corresponding projecting and receiving portions of asnap-type coupling. Alternately, any other suitable attachment devicesmay be used. For example, FIG. 5 is an elevational view of an alternateembodiment of first and second coupling members 118A, 126A of the diaperchanging assembly of FIG. 2. In this embodiment, the second attachmentdevice 126A includes a main hole (or ring) 127A having slottedextensions 129A projecting outwardly therefrom, and the first attachmentdevice 118A comprises a rotatable projection that may be passed throughthe aperture of the second attachment device 126A and the rotated (ortwisted) (e.g. in the direction of arrows 119A) to secure the changingmat 120 to the bag member 110.

Diaper changing apparatus in accordance with the present invention mayprovide significant advantages over prior art apparatus. First, there isno need for the parent or care-giver to disassemble the bag member 110in order to form the changing mat 120. The changing mat 120 is readilyaccessible, and may be deployed without unloading or modifying the bagmember 110. Supplies that may be needed during the diaper changingprocess remain located in a readily-accessible position within the bagmember 110. This may improve the efficiency of the diaper changingprocess in comparison with alternate prior art devices, and may increasethe parent's overall satisfaction with the diaper changing assembly.Furthermore, since the changing mat 120 is coupled to an outer surfaceof the bag member 110, it does not occupy precious space within theinterior region of the bag member 110, thereby not diminishing thecarrying capacity of the assembly.

Furthermore, since the changing mat 120 preferably does not includestorage compartments, there is no need to unload portions of theapparatus in order to perform the diaper changing procedure. There isalso no discomfort caused to the infant during the diaper changingprocedure due to the presence of storage compartments in the changingmat 120. In this way, the satisfaction of both the care-giver and theinfant may be improved.

It will be appreciated that a variety of alternate embodiments of diaperchanging assemblies may be conceived in accordance with the teachings ofthe present disclosure. For example, the shape and size of the bagmember and/or the changing mat may be varied from the particularembodiment described above and shown in the accompanying figures.Additional handles may be added, and the shape or location of suchhandles may be different from the specific handle design describedherein. Of course, various color, patterns, decoration schemes, andother aesthetic details may be conceived.

Thus, while specific embodiments of the invention have been illustratedand described herein, as noted above, many changes can be made withoutdeparting from the spirit or scope of the present invention.Accordingly, the scope of the invention should not be limited by thedisclosure of the specific embodiments set forth above. Instead, theinvention should be determined entirely by reference to the claims thatfollow.

1. A diaper changing assembly, comprising: a bag member partiallyenclosing an interior region and forming an access opening leadingthereto, the bag member including an outer surface having at least onefirst securing member formed thereon and a bottom portion positionedopposite from the access opening; and a changing mat operatively coupledto the outer surface and having at least one second securing memberformed thereon, the changing mat being foldable into a plurality ofportions such that in a closed position, the plurality of portions arepositionable proximate the outer surface and the first and secondsecuring members are engageable with the changing mat occupying a stowedposition external to the bag member, and in an open position theplurality of portions may be unfolded to provide an elongated changingsurface, the bag member being adapted such that the bottom portionremains engaged with the support surface, the interior region remainssubstantially accessible through the access opening, and the bag memberremains substantially unchanged during articulation of the changing matbetween the open and closed positions.
 2. The diaper changing assemblyof claim 1, wherein the bag member includes first and second side panelsand a handle coupled to at least one of the first and second panels. 3.The diaper changing assembly of claim 1, wherein the bag member includesone or more storage compartments coupled to the outer surface.
 4. Thediaper changing assembly of claim 1, wherein the bag member includes asubstantially rectangular member having first and second side panels,opposing end panels, and a bottom panel coupled to the first and secondside panels and the opposing end panels, the bottom panel comprising thebottom portion.
 5. The diaper changing assembly of claim 1, wherein thechanging mat is removably coupled to the bag member.
 6. The diaperchanging assembly of claim 5, wherein the changing mat is removablycoupled to the bag member using a zipper.
 7. The diaper changingassembly of claim 1, wherein the changing mat is a tri-panel member. 8.The diaper changing assembly of claim 1, wherein the changing matincludes a compartmentless exterior surface.
 9. The diaper changingassembly of claim 1, wherein the changing mat includes an inner layer ofpadding material substantially surrounded by an outer, durable layer.10. The diaper changing assembly of claim 1, wherein the changing matincludes a pillow member disposed therein.
 11. A diaper changingassembly, comprising: a bag member having at least two side panels thatsubstantially enclose an interior region and at least partially form anaccess opening leading thereto, the bag member including an outersurface having at least one first securing member formed on one of theside panels and a bottom portion positioned opposite from the accessopening; and a changing mat removably coupled to the outer surface ofthe one of the side panels, the changing mat having a compartmentlessexterior surface and having at least one second securing member formedthereon and engageable with the first securing member, the changing matbeing foldable into a closed position such that the changing mat isstowed proximate the one of the side panels and the first and secondsecuring members are engageable, the changing mat further beingunfoldable into an open position to form an elongated changing surface,the bag member being adapted such that the bottom portion remainsengaged with the support surface, the interior region remainssubstantially accessible through the access opening, and the bag memberremains substantially unchanged during articulation of the changing matbetween the open and closed positions.
 12. The diaper changing assemblyof claim 11, wherein the bag member includes one or more storagecompartments coupled to the outer surface.
 13. The diaper changingassembly of claim 11, wherein the bag member includes a substantiallyrectangular member having opposing end panels coupled between the firstand second side panels, and a bottom panel coupled to the end panels andto the side panels, the bottom panel comprising the bottom portion andsubstantially enclosing a lower end of the interior region.
 14. Thediaper changing assembly of claim 11, wherein the changing mat isremovably coupled to the bag member using a zipper.
 15. The diaperchanging assembly of claim 11, wherein the changing mat includes aninner layer of padding material substantially surrounded by an outer,durable layer.
 16. The diaper changing assembly of claim 11 wherein thechanging mat includes a pillow member disposed therein.
 17. A method ofchanging diapers, comprising: providing a bag member that partiallyencloses an interior region and having an access opening leadingthereto, the bag member including an outer surface and a bottom portionpositioned opposite from the access opening; engaging the bottom portionwith a support surface such that the interior region is substantiallyaccessible through the access opening; deploying a changing matoperatively coupled to the outer surface into an open position toprovide an elongated changing surface without modification of the bagmember, the bottom portion remaining engaged with the support surfaceand the interior region remaining substantially accessible through theaccess opening; positioning a wearer of a diaper on the changingsurface; installing a diaper on the wearer; and redeploying the changingmat into a closed position proximate the outer surface wherein thechanging mat occupies a stowed position external to the bag member andwithout modification of the bag member, the bottom portion remainingengaged with the support surface and the interior region remainingsubstantially accessible through the access opening.
 18. The method ofclaim 17, further comprising securing a first attachment device on thechanging mat with a second attachment device on the outer surface whenthe changing mat is in the stowed position.
 19. The method of claim 17,further comprising removing a previously-installed diaper from thewearer.
 20. The method of claim 17, wherein deploying a changing matincludes deploying a changing mat having a compartmentless surface.